Incorporation
The Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WIDHH) was established in 1956 by three groups; the Vancouver Association of Adult Deaf (VADA), the Vancouver League for the Hard of Hearing (VLHH) and the Jericho Hill Parent's Association; to serve and support Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals and to educate the hearing public in British Columbia.

These groups formed a registered society known as the Society for the Advancement of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. They elected its' first volunteer Board of Directors in 1956.  The Society eventually changed its name to the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WIDHH) in the early 1980's.

Board of Directors
The Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.

The Board is comprised of up to 14 directors, many of whom have been Deaf, Deafned, Hard of Hearing or hearing. Directors are elected to serve a two year term and may not serve for more than three consecutive terms.  Elections are held at the WIDHH Annual General meeting held before April 30th in any given year. By law these Directors are accountable for the oversight of the Society.

The current 2011/2012 Board of Directors executive officers and directors are:

President
Dan LeCours

Vice President
Ruth Warick

Secretary
Dr. Graham Bryce

Treasurer
Rick Waters

Directors
Ava Hawkins
David Nielsen
Dave Shiels
Eleanor McKellin
Karin Kirkpatrick
Miron Gazda
Robie Scholefield
Shirley Coomber
Steve Niven
Wendy Bruce

Past President
Dave Shiels